Constipation can be annoying and, occasionally, painful. It can usually be easily treated by making simple lifestyle changes. However, in some cases there may be an underlying problem, so see your doctor if your constipation is bad or not getting better.Constipation is caused by the colon (part of your digestive system) absorbing too much water from your food. This means your stools, which are produced at the end of the digestive process, get dry and hard, making them difficult to pass.